Anchor strings for archery bows



Nov. 1 1932.

A! L SWENSON' ETAL ANCHOR STEINGS FOR ARCHERY BOWS Filed Feb. 9, 1932 Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED'STATES PATENT orrica ALVIN L. SWENSON AND ORVAR SWEN SON, OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI ANCHOR STRING-S FOR ARCHERY IBOYhTfi i Application filed February 9, 1932. Serial No. 591,804.

' The present invention relates to bows and arrows as used in the present day develop-' ment of archery, and has for itsobject the provision of a means for measuring and limiting the length of draw of the bow string and-the making of every draw of uniform distance, and uniform tension of the bow.

Another object is to provide a positive anchor against which the string can be drawn m and held firmly.

Another object is to provide automatic means which prevent drawing the string beyond the length of the arrow or the maximum safety-draw of the how.

Another object is to provide means for holding the anchor cord out of the way and prevent its interference with other functions of the hands, bow, and arrow in shooting.

With the above and other objects in view,

m which will more particularly appear in the following specification, we have shown in the accompanying drawing,--in which like numerals of reference refer to the same part throughout the various views,-one embodiment of our invention, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a standard shape long bow-string at rest-with our invention shown attached.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a standard shape long bow, with our invention attached, and showing the string and arrow drawn to full length of arrow.

To shoot accurately with the bow and arrow, it is essential that uniform tension be put upon the bow at every draw, in order that the arrow may be projected at uniform velocity upon eachshot. The human system is not capable of uniform, exact repetition, but varies with state of mind and fatigue from time to time, and in estimating the distances exactly at each shot. The present invention provides a means for overcoming this difiiculty, by providing definitely for a measured, limited draw, beyond which it is not possible to draw the string. This means is provided in a Very inexpensive and simple manner, by attaching a strong, flexible cord, of the length required, between the bow near its middle portion, and the string at its middle portion. This anchor cord is shown in the drawing at 4, being attached to the bow 1 at the handle 3 and the other end attachedto the string 2 near its middle portion, as 7 By limiting the length of the anchor cord 4 to the exact length to permit the string to be drawn back the distance desired, the string 4 can be drawn that distance, but no further, as it will be positively stopped by the anchor cord. To provide means for retracting the anchor cord out of the way of the hands and arrow, we have provided an elastic means,- as the elastic cord 5, attached at its upper end: midway of the length of the anchor cord, and at its lower end attached to or near the lower end of the bow at 6. By this means, 5 the anchor cord is drawn downward, and out 7 of the way whenever it'is not actually functioning in limiting the draw'of the bow. In practice, when it is desired to shoot, after bracing the bow,-an arrow is notched 7 on the string, and it is placed against the bow, resting upon the closed fist grasping thebow, as shown in Figure 2. The string is then caught by the first three fingers of thefree handusually the right hand-andthe 7 string and arrow are drawn back until the head of the arrow reaches the bow handle. Where there is no definite means for measuring the length of the draw, excepting by the length of the arrow, as in the past, it is reso quired that the archer, center his eye upon the arrow at the place where it passes the bow to make certain that he neither over draws, nor under draws. In view of the fallibility of the human system, the draws will vary.by a greater or lesser fraction of an. inch, and also vary the tension of the bow, and the velocity of the arrow in like proportion. By employing the present invention, the archer draws backv to the full limit of the anchor cord, and holds firmly in that position, without the necessity of centering his vision upon the point of the arrow. Thus the tension on the bow will be uniform at all draws,and the velocity of the arrow will be the same on each shot. By adjusting the length of the anchor cord to exact length of draw desired by the individual archer, he. may make a perfect draw at=each shot with-= out undue thought or calculation. Again, 1.00

further draw, and then release, and be certain that he has drawn to the full limit for a h shot "Xnotheiadvantage from the use of the author cord, is that thelmnd drawing the itrin'g maybe drawn back and held positive- I ift the anchor cord while aiming Y.

7 the likelihood of permitting the arrow'to mreep as often happens when the muscles become fatigued by too long shooting-pr aiming too long. if

' 5 oral practice, bows are made for" a :r.u|i-l maximum safety draw, and if beyond that maximum limit, may break; In fact a large percentage of broken bows'are caused by over drawing by novices, Beginners, or' careless archers. With the invention placed upon the bow, and

the length of the anchor cord adjusted to the maximum safefdraw, it will be impossible for anyone to overdraw the bow and break it in that manner. 7

While the anchor cord may be employed without the use; of the elastic cord 5 to retract it as described above," and will provide all of the advantages explained herein, yet there coming entangled with the hand or the arstring thereon a cord attached between the *bow and string for limiting the distance the bow string may be drawn from said bow.

5. In combination with an archery bow and string thereon, of a cord extending between said bow and string to provide an anchor against which the string may be drawn and held rigidly in shooting.

6. In combination, a bow, a strin thereon, an anchor cord attached midway o the bow and the string providing a means for limiting the maximum draw of the string, and an elastic means connected near the lower extremity of the bow and the middle of the anchor cord adapted to retract the anchor cord from the path of the arrow and string when the arrow and string are released.

'7. In combination with a bow and its string, as used in archery, of a flexible cord having one end attached midway-the ends of the bow, and the other end attached midway the length of the string, and an elastic cord having one end attached midway the length of the above described cord, and the other end attached to the extremity of the bow and adapted to retract the flexible cord toward the end of the bow whenever the string is released in shooting.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto afiixed our signatures.

. ALVIN L. SWENSON. ORVAR SWENSON.

malways inconvenience from the cord be-' row, and annoyance thereby. By attaching V the elastic cord 5 as shown, the anchor cord is retracted entirely out of the way and causes no inconvenience or annoyance more than shooting without such anchor cord.

Having thus described our invention,wh at we claim-and desire to secure by Letters Patout, is the following a device of the class described, the combinatien with abow and bow string, of a for limiting the distance which the may be drawn away from the bow.

2; In a device of the class described, the combination with a bow and a bow string thereon, of a means disposed midway of the length of said bow and string which positiveiy limits the distance which the bow string may be drawn away from the bow.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a means for limiting the distance which the bow string may be drawn, of a'oecond means adapted to retract the above mentioned means out of the way of the bow, string, arrow and hands.

' 4'. In combination with an archery bow and ll Hi 

